Portis took a new job in September and was gone by Friday's release of findings of a North Carolina firm hired by City Hall to investigate.

Reading the 84-page report is the best way to learn why it is relevant.

First, let's dispense with the claim this investigation was nothing but a critique of Portis' tough style.

"This was not, as Mr. Portis suggested during our initial interview, a 'management study of his department‚' " the report says. It was "an administrative investigation into general and specific allegations of personal and professional misconduct."

Misconduct was confirmed.

Only a few complaints against Portis were supported by facts, but investigators called them "the most serious allegations."

Investigators concluded Portis created a hostile work environment by, among other things, subjecting cops to demeaning public humiliation.

They found he sexually harassed a female police officer by making what she took to be sexual overtures.

They found Portis used police powers against political foes in ways involving excessive application of resources, conflict of interest and "subterfuge."

Former city manager Warren Renando, who hired Portis, is quoted as saying Portis did good but "stayed five years too long."

Complaints against the chief were "ignored or minimized" since 1999, investigators concluded.

The best explanation for why problems were ignored is Portis had "two personas" and made important friends.

Local government officials, community leaders and the press saw a Portis who seemed dedicated and compassionate. City Council members brushed aside complaints because they never saw the other persona.

This was "a management failure and a communications failure" at the city level, the report said.

"Once reported in any form, workplace hostility must be immediately investigated and those efforts documented," the report says. "Not acting, even when the allegation is vague and anonymous, is not sufficient. ... The city management team must see that the city takes complaints seriously in every case."

Instead of pretending it was no big deal, City Hall needs to fix things so valid problems cannot fester in neglect.

That's why the report is relevant, even though Portis had the good grace to leave town.